Download mitosis coloring homework

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________________
Pd. _______
Mitosis & Cytokinesis
Mitosis is a process that can be broken down into 4 steps. These steps are called Prophase,
Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase. A phase called interphase is not actually part of mitosis, but is
the resting phase that the cell is in when it is not dividing.
Interphase. Most of the time, a cell is not actually dividing. Instead it spends most of its time just
resting and performing cell activities like cellular respiration, osmosis, and for plant cells,
photosynthesis. During interphase, DNA and other cell materials are copied. While in interphase, the
DNA is shaped like uncoiled strands that look like spaghetti. When it is in this shape, it is called
chromatin. When DNA is loosely packed like this it is much easier for the cell’s machinery to copy.
Prophase. This is the first step of mitosis. The nuclear membrane (membrane around the nucleus)
breaks apart. Chromatin condenses into rod-like structures called chromosomes. Take a look at the
other side of this paper and find something inside any of the cells that looks like a big fat X. This is a
chromosome that has been copied. One half of the X is the original chromosome and the other half is
the copy.
Another thing that happens during Prophase is that the centrioles move to opposite sides of the cell and
spindle fibers form across the cell. We’ll find out what these do later.
Metaphase. During this stage of mitosis the chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell, right along
the equator. Each chromosome attaches itself to a spindle fiber.
Anaphase. The centrioles act like fishermen and start to reel in their fish (the chromosomes) using the
spindle fibers as line. During anaphase the twin copies of the chromosomes get separated and each
copy moves to opposite sides of the cell.
Telophase. Now that the chromosomes are separated, two new cells are formed. The spindle fibers
disappear; the chromosomes uncoil and become spaghetti-like chromatin again. The nuclear membrane
reappears and finally the cytoplasm divides to form two new daughter cells which are identical to each
other. In a plant cell, a cell wall forms between the two new cells.
Plant Cells in Mitosis - Name each numbered stage in the plant cell cycle diagram:
(interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, or telophase)
1.
10.
2.
11.
3.
12.
4.
13.
5.
14.
6.
15.
7.
16.
8.
17.
9.
18.
Questions: Use the pictures on the next page to answer the following questions.
1. Outline the cell membrane of the cells in these colors: Prophase—red; Metaphase—green;
Anaphase—yellow; Telophase—orange; Interphase—purple
2. What is the name for the resting period between cell divisions? __________________________.
Color the word brown.
3. In interphase, the DNA is in the form of loose threads called ___________________________.
Color the word and pictures blue.
4. Condensed DNA is called _______________________________. Color the word and these
structures in metaphase cells green.
5. During metaphase the chromosomes line up along the ____________________ of the cell. Using
a highlighter, highlight this section of the metaphase drawing.
6. During what stage do the chromosomes pull apart? ___________________________. Color the
word yellow.
7. Another name for cell division is ______________________________. Color the word blue.
8. What structure reappears during telophase?
_____________________________________________Outline this structure in telophase red.
9. During which stage does the DNA copy itself? ____________________________________. Draw
an orange star next to this word.
2 NEW DAUGHTER
CELLS ARE FORMED